As for the claim he ordered a 396 375 HP car and it was built as a 454 LS-6 that is in fact very true . I know of and have seen original order forms from several cars that were indeed ordered as an L78 and the order was upgraded to the LS6 as they were already in the system. The dealer on one of those contacted the buyer and informed him that the engine he had ordered was cancelled and replaced with a new High performance 454 and they would absorb the cost because of they delay. Another where they charged a $100.00 more to upgrade the existing order.. I think perhaps this member might have been thinking july of 69 which by his time frame would have fallen into LS-6 introduction.
It would be interesting to see the paperwork.

Jim

The only problems I would have with it being ordered in July of 69 is the letter Dale posted clearly is dated October 30th,1969 and clearly states that the L78/L89 option is in the process of being canceled. It also states that as of the letters date dealers may now start taking orders for the LS6 option. Now two other points to throw out there are the two pilot cars (the green one built in December of 69 and the one sold through GM of Canada that was built in November of 69). So if the OP dad's car was ordered in July of 69 and took 4 months until it was delivered puts it right in the middle of these two pilot cars if not possibly built before the November pilot car. So would this not make it the first known LS6 built even before the November 69 pilot car? I'm sure there were plenty of L78 engines still in stock if not still being produced in July of 69 to fill this order for an L78 order. I would also think there would have to be some notation on the original dealer invoice to note it was upgraded to the LS6 option for warranty claims as if the protecto plate was lost there would need to be a paper work trail to let other dealers know of the upgraded option to the car. These points I bring up are only that and questions as I'm no expert on LS6 cars as Jim and a few others are. I have met Jim personally and respect Jim's advice and opinions and found his help invaluable to the restoration on my Malibu 400. So let's not get our panties in a bunch over my questioning Jim's statement as has happened to me in the past on here and I'm not going to be so nice anymore to those who do. With that said what do you all think about the points and questions I have brought up.

Thanks Joe my refference to the time line is that the car being discussed would of had to been ordered in 1969 not 70 as he stated. Thats the only time frame that would work. After 42 years some peoples memory get a little fuzzy thats why I asked to see pictures as they would have dates to validate the timing. The one car I discussed I have known most of my life the original owner is a friend and I have to see if I can get a look at the doc's again with a camera or the car . Its been hidden away for years still wearing its Original red paint and a whopping 18,000 miles on the odometer.

Jim

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Thanks Joe my reference to the time line is that the car being discussed would of had to been ordered in 1969 not 70 as he stated. That's the only time frame that would work. After 42 years some peoples memory get a little fuzzy that's why I asked to see pictures as they would have dates to validate the timing. The one car I discussed I have known most of my life the original owner is a friend and I have to see if I can get a look at the doc's again with a camera or the car . Its been hidden away for years still wearing its Original red paint and a whopping 18,000 miles on the odometer.

Jim

Yes I agree that is a time line that would work as the 70 time line would not work in anyway. Yes it'd be interesting to know when the car you've known all your life was built. Sounds like a cool car too.

. The one car I discussed I have known most of my life the original owner is a friend and I have to see if I can get a look at the doc's again with a camera or the car . Its been hidden away for years still wearing its Original red paint and a whopping 18,000 miles on the odometer.

Jim

Would this car have been built in Balto as a Buffalo Zone car???

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